Node creation in Linked list in c++

Question

class node{
    public:
    int data;
    node* next;
    node(int val){
       data=val;
       next=NULL;
    }
};

For this class, the object creation statement is node* n=new node(5);

Why do we need to add the * after node? What will happen if I write node n=new node(5)?

Are they both the same?

This is really something any decent text-book, tutorial or class should have taught you. If not then you should consider using some other book, tutorial or class. [Here's a list of decent books](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list). — Some programmer dude, Jan 02 '21 at 07:51
*"What will happen if i write `node n=new node(5)`?"* -- try it and see. — JaMiT, Jan 02 '21 at 08:03

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 02 '21 at 08:58

Why do we need to add the * after node?

new returns a pointer to the memory that was allocated, in this case a node instance, so you need a (node*) pointer variable to receive the returned memory address (of the node instance).

What will happen if I write node n=new node(5)?

The code will fail to compile, since n is not a (node*) pointer.

Node creation in Linked list in c++

1 Answers1